On Monday, the CDC announced it was investigating a multistate outbreak of campylobacter infections that had been linked to contact with puppies sold through the national pet store chain, Petland.
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Campylobacteriosis, a common bacterial infection, can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever. Symptoms normally begin within two to five days after contact with the bacteria and last about a week, although some people don’t experience any signs of illness. (The same goes for puppies and dogs who may show typical symptoms or have no signs of illness.)
While most people recover within five days without treatment (but drinking extra fluids is recommended), in RARE instances, the infection “can lead to complications, including paralysis and even death” 1(infants, the elderly, and people with cancer are most at risk for a serious infection).
Normally, people become infected with campylobacteriosis by eating raw or undercooked poultry while outbreaks of campylobacteriosis are linked to unpasteurized dairy products, contaminated water, poultry and produce.
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If you suspect your pet is ill or if you recently purchased them from a Petland, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly after you touch them, their poop, or their food. And make sure kids wash their hands as well.
“As of September 11, a total of 39 people have fallen ill in seven states, including 11 cases in Florida, five in Kansas, one in Missouri, 18 in Ohio, two in Pennsylvania, one in Tennessee and one in Wisconsin. There have been nine hospitalizations and no deaths reported. The first case within this outbreak occurred on September 15, 2016.
Most — 28 of the 39 — are female and 12 are Petland employees. Of the total, 27 either recently purchased a puppy at Petland, visited a Petland, or visited or live in a home with a puppy sold through Petland.”2
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The CDC hasn’t found “any failures of Petland’s operating system that would lead to any campylobacter infection”3 but the investigation is ongoing.
